Apparatus for modifying weight distribution of a device

ABSTRACT

The present invention discloses a single piece weight member that is generally configured commensurate with an existing, single piece component of a device to facilitate replacing the existing, single piece component of the device with the single piece weight member to modify a weight distribution of the device to a desired weight balance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

One or more embodiments of the present invention are related to an apparatus for modifying weight distribution of a device such as a sporting gear like a golf club, a racket (e.g., for tennis, racquetball, squash, table tennis, etc.) or tools.

2. Description of Related Art

Conventional mechanisms for modifying weight distribution of sporting equipment such as a tennis racket to customize the racket with a desired weight balance (head-heavy, head-light, or balanced weight distribution) are well known and have been in use for a number of years. Regrettably, most are comprised of many constituent parts or pieces that are complicated to manufacture and install.

Accordingly, in light of the current state of the art and the drawbacks to balancing schemes and methods thereof mentioned above, a need exists for an apparatus that would enable modifying a weight distribution of a device to achieve a desired balancing of the weight of the device that is simple to manufacture and install.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A non-limiting, exemplary aspect of an embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus, comprising:

a single piece weight member that is generally configured commensurate with an existing, single piece component of a device to facilitate replacing the existing, single piece component of the device with the single piece weight member to modify a weight distribution of the device to a desired weight balance, with the single piece weight member having a greater weight than a component weight of the existing, single piece component of the device.

These and other features and aspects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of preferred non-limiting exemplary embodiments, taken together with the drawings and the claims that follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It is to be understood that the drawings are to be used for the purposes of exemplary illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention.

Throughout the disclosure, the word “exemplary” may be used to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration,” but the absence of the term “exemplary” does not denote a limiting embodiment. Any embodiment described as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. In the drawings, like reference character(s) present corresponding part(s) throughout.

FIGS. 1A-1 to IF are a non-limiting, exemplary illustration of an embodiment of an apparatus that replaces an existing component of a device and that when installed, changes a weight distribution of a device in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention; and

FIGS. 2A to 2D are a non-limiting, exemplary illustration of an embodiment of an apparatus that replaces an existing component of a device and that when installed, changes a weight distribution of the device in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed and or utilized.

In the description given below and or the corresponding set of drawing figures, when it is necessary to distinguish the various members, elements, sections/portions, components, parts, or any other aspects (functional or otherwise) or features or concepts or operations of a device(s) or method(s) from each other, the description and or the corresponding drawing figures may follow reference numbers with a small alphabet character such as (for example) “single piece weight member 102 a, 102 b, and etc.” If the description is common to all of the various members, elements, sections/portions, components, parts, or any other aspects (functional or otherwise) or features or concepts or operations of a device(s) or method(s) such as (for example) to all single piece weight member 102 a, 102 b, etc., then they may simply be referred to with reference number only and with no alphabet character such as (for example) “single piece weight member 102.”

Throughout the disclosure, references to tennis racket, tennis racket handle or grip are meant as illustrative, are for convenience of example, and for discussion purposes only. That is, the present invention should not be limited to the use of tennis rackets but may also be used (without much modifications, if any) for other equipment such as golf clubs or other sporting or non-sporting equipments that may require modification or change in weight distribution for a desired weight balance.

One or more embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus that when installed, modifies a weight distribution of a device to achieve a desired balancing of a weight of the device that is simple to manufacture and very easy to install.

One or more embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus that is comprised of a single piece weight member that is generally configured commensurate with an existing, single piece component of a device to facilitate replacing the existing, single piece component of the device with the single piece weight member to modify a weight distribution of the device to a desired weight balance, with the single piece weight member having a greater weight than a component weight of the existing, single piece component of the device.

FIGS. 1A-1 to 1E are a non-limiting, exemplary illustration of an embodiment of an apparatus that replaces an existing component of a device and that when installed, changes a weight distribution of a device in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. As illustrated, a single piece weight member 102 is provided that is generally configured commensurate with an existing, single piece component 104 of a device 106. That is, at the very least, single piece weight member 102 has an engagement infrastructure that is generally configured or shaped corresponding with an exiting engagement infrastructure of the existing single piece component 104, which would facilitate simple replacement of the existing, single piece component 104 of device 106 with single piece weight member 102 without any modifications to device 106. In other words, single piece weight member 102 has a generally complementary engagement infrastructure in relation to a part 114 a of the device 106 that accommodates existing, single piece component 104, which would allow single piece weight member 102 to engage with device 106.

As further illustrated and indicated by arrows 108 and 154, a users may simply remove or detach existing, single piece component 104 in well known manner, and attach (also in a well known manner) in its place single piece weight member 102 as indicated. by arrow 110, resulting in modified weight balanced device 106 (shown in FIG. 1A-2). Since single piece weight member 102. has a greater weight than a component weight of existing, single piece component 104 of device 106, the replacement with single piece weight member 102 would modify a weight distribution of device 106 to a desired weight balance. Accordingly, the desired weight balance of device 106 may be achieved with a very simple, quick and easy to install single piece weight member 102.

Single piece weight member 102 may have an exoskeleton structure that encases or encapsulates weight material 212. The overall weight of single piece, integrally molded weight member 102 may vary in accordance with a weight of the material 212 (best shown in FIGS. 2D) integrated within, while single piece, integrally molded weight member 102 maintains configuration adapted to replace the existing, single piece component 104 of device 106. In general, the weight material 212 (FIGS. 2D) of single piece, integrally molded weight member 102 may comprise of various alloys such as metal alloys with varying weights. This means that a multiplicity of single piece, integrally molded weight members 102 with each having different weights may be manufactured while maintaining the general configuration or shape of members 102 still commensurate with the existing, single piece component 104. The weight of weight material 212 (FIGS. 2D) encased within single piece, integrally molded weight members 102 may for example, be varied by set increments, which would vary the overall weight of single piece, integrally molded weight members 102 in set increments. Accordingly, use of different weighted single piece, integrally molded weight members 102 may incrementally vary a weight distribution of device 106 and hence, which would enable users to precisely reach a desired weight balance in set increments, For example, a user may install a first member 102 with a first weight and if resulting change in the weight distribution is not the desired weight balance, the user may simply replace the first member 102 with the first weight with another member 102 with a second weight that may be incrementally higher or lower in weight compared with the first member 102.

It should be noted that although many well known methods for manufacturing single piece, integrally molded weight members 102 exist, one non-limiting exemplary known method may include using a plastic molded metal (or metal alloy) weight using existing molding processes. A plastic or other suitable types of molded weight material would form the exoskeleton structure within which the weight material is integrally molded and held to form single piece, integrally molded weight member 102. It should further be noted that single piece weight member 102 itself may comprise of weight material (e.g., various metals or metal alloys with varying weight without the exoskeleton structure). That is, the weight material itself may be molded into single piece weight member 102.

As exemplarily shown in FIG. 1A-1, in the non-limiting exemplary instance illustrated, the device 106 is a tennis racket 106 a with a handle or grip portion 112 a, and existing, single piece component 104 is the illustrated end cap 104 a of the handle 112 a. End cap 104 a may be easily detached or disengaged (“popped” or “snapped”) out and removed, exposing a butt cap 114 a and interior portion or hollow cavity 116 a of handle 112 a of the tennis racket 106 a. Butt cap 114 a includes engagement infrastructure (detailed below) that allows end cap 104 a to securely “snap” or engage with butt cap 114 a of handle 112 a of racket 106 a.

In this non-limiting, exemplary instance, single piece weight member 102 a includes a base 118 a configured commensurate with a base 120 a of end cap 104 a, which may in fact, include the same exact design and logo or brand of base 120 a of end cap 104 a visible to users, In this non-limiting, exemplary instance base 118 a is octagonal shape with eight-(8) edges 136 a, generally configured commensurate with that of end cap 104 a that also has an octagonal shape with eight-(8) edges 138 a.

Protruded from an interior facing surface 122 a of base 118 a is an engagement infrastructure 124 a of single piece weight member 102 a that is generally configured commensurate an engagement infrastructure 152 of the end cap 104 a, enabling single piece weight member 102 a to engage and securely connect with butt cap 114 a. More specifically, in this non-limiting, exemplary instance, engagement infrastructure 124 a (which is shaped like the engagement infrastructures 152 of end cap 114) is comprised of a groove 126 a formed between interior facing surface 122 a of base 118 a and flanges 128 a, with edge 130 a of butt cap 114 a engaging groove 126 a of single piece weight member 102 a.

As further illustrated, protruded from a surface 132 a of flanges 128 a is an optional, substantially cylindrical protuberance 134 a that may form a “compartment” for weight material encapsulated (or molded) within member 102 a, which when installed, is inserted within interior portion or hollow cavity 116 a of handle 112 a of racket 106 a. As an optional, non--limiting example, cylindrical protuberance 134 a may be provided with two cavities 140 a and 142 a, which may be used to integrally encase molded weighted material. It should be noted that protuberance 134 a need not be cylindrical or have any cavities and further, may be configured in any desired shape independent of even the shape of end cap 114 a so long as it may be inserted within interior portion or hollow cavity 116 a of handle 112 a, and does not interfere with the engagement of single piece weight member 102 a with butt cap 114 a.

FIGS. 2A to 2D are a non-limiting, exemplary illustration of an embodiment of an apparatus that replaces an existing component of a device and that when installed, changes a weight distribution of the device in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. Single piece weight member 102 b illustrated in FIGS. 2A to 2D includes similar corresponding or equivalent components, interconnections, functional, operational, and or cooperative relationships as single piece weight member 102 a that is shown in FIGS. 1A-1 to 1E, and described above. Therefore, for the sake of brevity, clarity, convenience, and to avoid duplication, the general description of FIGS. 2A to 2D will not repeat every corresponding or equivalent component, interconnections, functional, operational, and or cooperative relationships that has already been described above in relation to single piece weight member 102 a that is shown in FIGS. 1A-1 to 1E.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, in this non-limiting, exemplary instance, single piece weight member 102 b includes a base 118 b configured commensurate with a base 120 a of end cap 104 a, which may in fact, include the same general design and logo or brand of base 120 a of end cap 104 a visible to users. In this non-limiting, exemplary instance base 118 b is octagonal shape with eight-(8) edges 136 b, generally configured commensurate with that of end cap 104 a that also has an octagonal shape with eight-(8) edges 138 a.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2A to 2D, protruded from an interior facing surface 122 b of base 118 b is an engagement infrastructure 124 a of single piece weight member 102 b that is generally configured commensurate an engagement infrastructure 152 of the end cap 104 a, enabling single piece weight member 102 b to engage and securely connect with butt cap 114 a. Further included are two prongs 208 that protrude from the secondary surface 210 that may be inserted into blind-holes 156 of butt cap 114 a, with single piece weight member 102 b engaging butt cap 114 a (as shown in FIG. 2B).

Although the invention has been described in considerable detail in language specific to structural features and or method acts, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as exemplary preferred forms of implementing the claimed invention. Stated otherwise, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Further, the specification is not confined to the disclosed embodiments. Therefore, while exemplary illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described, numerous variations and alternative embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. For example, end caps with other configurations not illustrated may also be replaced with weight end caps of generally corresponding matching shapes. Such variations and alternate embodiments are contemplated, and can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

It should further be noted that throughout the entire disclosure, the labels such as left, right, front, back, top, bottom, forward, reverse, clockwise, counter clockwise, up, down, or other similar terms such as upper, lower, aft, fore, vertical, horizontal, oblique, proximal, distal, parallel, perpendicular, transverse, longitudinal, etc. have been used for convenience purposes only and are not intended to imply any particular fixed direction or orientation. Instead, they are used to reflect relative locations and/or directions/orientations between various portions of an object.

In addition, reference to “first,” “second,” “third,” and etc. members throughout the disclosure (and in particular, claims) is not used to show a serial or numerical limitation but instead is used to distinguish or identify the various members of the group.

In addition, any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 Section 112, Paragraph 6. In particular, the use of “step of,” “act of” “operation of” or “operational act of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, Paragraph 6. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus, comprising: a single piece weight member that is generally configured commensurate with an existing, single piece component of a device to facilitate replacing the existing, single piece component of the device with the single piece weight member to modify a weight distribution of the device to a desired weight balance, with the single piece weight member having a greater weight than a component weight of the existing, single piece component of the device. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein: the single piece weight member is comprised of weight material.
 3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein: the single piece weight member is an exoskeleton structure that includes weight material.
 4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein: the single piece weight member replacing the existing, single piece component of the device modifies a weight distribution of the device for a desired weight balance.
 5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein: the weight of the single piece weight member may vary in accordance with a weight of a material integrated within the single piece weight member, with single piece weight member maintaining configuration adapted to replace the existing, single piece component of the device.
 6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein: the existing, single piece component is single piece, mountable element of a sporting equipment and the single piece weight member is a single piece weight mountable element of the sporting equipment that replaces the mountable element to modify a weight distribution of the racket for a desired weight balance.
 7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein: a weight material of the single piece weight member is comprised of an alloy.
 8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein: the alloy is a metal alloy.
 9. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein: the device is a racket.
 10. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein: an engagement infrastructure of the single piece weight member is generally configured commensurate with an engagement infrastructure of the existing, single piece component.
 11. The apparatus, comprising: a single piece weight end cap that is generally configured commensurate with an existing, end cap of a racket to facilitate replacing the existing, end cap of the racket with the single piece weight end cap to modify a weight distribution of the racket to a desired weight balance, with the single piece weight end cap having a greater weight than the existing, end cap of the racket.
 12. The apparatus, comprising: multiplicity of single piece weight end caps that have different weights are generally configured commensurate with an existing, end cap of a racket, with a single piece weight end cap of desired weight of the multiplicity single piece weight end caps replacing the existing, end cap of the racket with the single piece weight end cap to modify a weight distribution of the racket to a desired weight balance, with the single piece weight end cap having a greater weight than the existing, end cap of the racket.
 13. A method for modifying weight distribution of a device, comprising: providing a exoskeleton structure; providing a weight material; integrally molding the exoskeleton structure with the weight material, forming a single piece, integrally molded weight member that is generally configured commensurate with an existing, single piece component of a device; the single piece, integrally molded weight member having a greater weight than the existing, single piece component of the device; modify a weight distribution of the device to a desired weight balance in accordance with: removing the existing, single piece component of the device; and replacing the removed existing, single piece component of the device with the single piece, integrally molded weight member.
 14. The method as set forth in claim 13, wherein: the weight of the single piece, integrally molded weight member may vary in accordance with a weight of a material integrated within the single piece weight member, with single piece weight member maintaining configuration adapted to replace the existing, single piece component of the device.
 15. The method as set forth in claim 13, wherein: the existing, single piece, integrally molded component is single piece, mountable element of a sporting equipment and the single piece weight member is a single piece weight mountable element of the sporting equipment that replaces the mountable element to modify a weight distribution of the racket for a desired weight balance.
 16. The method as set forth in claim 13, wherein: a weight material of the single piece, integrally molded weight member is comprised of an alloy.
 17. The method as set forth in claim 16, wherein: the alloy is a metal alloy.
 18. The method as set forth in claim 13, wherein: the device is a racket.
 19. The method as set forth in claim 13, wherein: the component is an end cap.
 20. The method as set forth in claim 13, wherein: the single piece, integrally molded weight member is a single piece weight end cap.
 21. The method as set forth in claim 13, further comprising: providing a multiplicity of single piece, integrally molded weight members that have different weights and are generally configured commensurate with an existing, component of the device. 